Shoe.



' J. G. HOSMER.

.SHOE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1913.

Patented Nov. 24; 1914.

WITNESSES:

UNITED sTArns SHOE.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Nov. 24;, 1914.

Application filed May 19, 1913. Serial No. 768,567.

To all whom it ma concern:

Be it known t at I, JOSEPHINE C. Hosunn, a citizen of the United States, resident of Medford, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Shoes; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the shoe, as applied. Fig. 2 is a similar view taken from the rear of the shoe. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the shoe, taken from above the same. Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section of the shoe in perspective. Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentary view in section of the rear part of the shoe.

This invention relates to shoes, and has for its object to provide a novel shoe having an elastic quarter portion which not only serves to securely hold the shoe on the foot, but also provides a shoe which will allow the muscles of the foot to have perfect freedom.

The invention is specially adapted for a shoe for small children, although the invention may be embodied in a shoe of any size.

In order to illustrate the invention, I have shown it as it might be embodied in a childs shoe having a flexible sole to which it is best adapted, but I do not wish to be limited to the use of the invention in a shoe of this character.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown a childs shoe having the usual sole 2, and the front upper or vamp which is formed with the two side or lateral portions- 3, said front upper or vamp being secured .to the sole 2, in any suitable or usual way.

The upper or vamp may be provided with any usual fastening devices, such as buttons and button holes, lacings, or catches for closing the front opening 4, of the shoe. The portions 3, of the vamp extend to the ankle on opposite sides of the shoe, and are shaped to present rear edges 7, that are substantially vertical and separated from each other by the width of the foot in this part. These ankle edges 7, are connected by an sole 2, and the upper edge which is not de-- signed to extend above the bottom curve of the heel is sewed or otherwise. secured to the lower edge of the elastic quarter member 6. In the embodiment herein shown, the upper edge of the elastic webbing of the quarter 6, is protected by a binding 9, which may be of fabric, leather or any other suitable material, and which may or may not be elastic,

as desired. If the binding 9, is non-elastic,

then it will be sufficiently crimped when it is sewed to the elastic member 6, so that it will permit of a certain amount of elongation.

When the shoe is on the foot, the elastic member 6, will hug the heel inclosing this entire portion upon the foot above the sole and will prevent the shoe from coming off. This is of especial advantage in a childs soft shoe, such as small babies frequently wear, fortit prevents the child from losing its shoe by rubbing its feet together or by moving around on a bed.

The invention is equally applicable in a shoe for older children and it has the advantage that the elastic quarter portion 6, allows perfect freedom of all the muscles of the foot in walking, running, jumping, sliding, etc.; and a consequent ability for the muscles to develop and strengthen themselves. It is designed to .prevent unduly binding the rearward projecting heel and its muscles and tendons, the free motions of which are of prime importance in the development of the foot and leg.

The invention may also be embodied in shoes for grown folks and would have special advantage in athletic shoes and shoes of a similar nature. I do not therefore wish to limit my invention to any particular size or kind of shoe. I

My invention may also be embodied in a upper portions sewed thereto, the rear edgesshoe having a semi-flexible or comparatively stifi sole and i's-liot limited to use with a flexible sole, as shown in the drawings.

What I claim is A shoe having a flexible sole, and front of the upper portions terminating at the ankle a narrow heel band connecting the lower portions of these edges and secured to the sole, :1 narrow binding strip connecting the upper ends of these edges and an JOSEPHINE G. HOSMER.

Witnesses:

WILLiAM B. \Voon, ALBERT I). FRASER. 

